Then we drew another big sign, which we placed in the window, saying:
At eight o'clock Monday this store will be opened, and the few remaining goods in our automatic sale may be bought at 4¢ in ten discount, or 40 per cent. reduction from regular price. As the sale has been a phenomenal success, we anticipate clearing out the balance of the goods on Monday. Early comers will secure the best bargains.
Stigler springing that 25 per cent. reduction sale on kitchen goods had unfortunately spoilt a lot of business which I felt sure we would have had otherwise. We had overcome some of the loss, however, by the extra push we had made on carpenters' tools.
When I told Betty about it after getting home, she said:
"Well, Stigler didn't waste any time getting after you, did he?"
"No," I said with a grin.
"And do you know that he says now that your sale has proved a fizzle and that practically all your goods have been put back in stock again? . . . Quiet," she said, putting her hand on my shoulder, for I was about to explode with temper. "I suppose no man can be successful without having a lot of people throw mud at him."
That evening I was so tired that I fell asleep in my chair. Betty woke me up by putting her arm around my neck, and saying:
"You had better go along to bed now, boy dear. Here, drink this—it will make you rest better"—and I drank a glass of hot milk she had prepared for me, and went to bed.
On Monday we had a wonderful clearance. Most of the goods were sold, and our total for the four days' sale was $1,090.00!